An energy drink addiction is practically a prerequisite for students, but most energy drinks contain 200 mg of caffeine—seven times the amount of a can of Coca-Cola. One energy drink can contain 260 calories or more, and just two servings of Red Bull account for 20 percent of your recommended daily sodium. Not to mention the fact that energy drinks are often linked to heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

The good news? You can still get energy in healthier alternatives. Fatigue is often caused by dehydration, so drink water as much as you can. Don’t skip breakfast, keep healthy snacks like granola on hand and take time to actually sit and enjoy lunch. If you really need the caffeine, a cup of coffee with skim or soy milk is OK. Of course, the best defense against fatigue won’t be found in the refrigerator but in at least seven hours of sleep.

1 Comment

The vast body of science shows caffeine is a safe ingredient, and importantly, most mainstream U.S. energy drinks have far less caffeine than a comparable size coffeehouse coffee. That said, in addition to adhering to all FDA guidelines, energy drink makers take a number of voluntary steps. For example, energy drink product packaging features an advisory statement that makes clear these beverages are not intended or recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, and persons sensitive to caffeine. These, and other steps, demonstrate that the industry is doing its part to market energy drinks responsibly to the audiences for whom they are intended.
-American Beverage Association